Conference Preview: Tri-Rivers West

The Teams Alburnett (15-8): The Pirates were a team who’s season ended at the hands of a red hot Wapsi Valley team in the Substate Quarterfinals - a team that eventually went on to win the class 1A state title. Alburnett will be a team to watch once again this season, but after losing 3 of their top 6 scorers, including [player_tooltip player_id="955296" first="Austin" last="Huber"] who was a high % shooter for the Pirates. The key will be who can step up and fill those roles? With the steady front-court tandem of [player_tooltip player_id="964854" first="Shane" last="Neighbor"] (15.5) & [player_tooltip player_id="964853" first="Reed" last="Stallman"] (12.1) returning, they will need to find consistant guard play around these two. Reliable shooters will be the key if this group wants a chance to win this conference and return to state. Central City (16-7): The graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="576918" first="Nick" last="Reid"] will impact the wildcats tremendously, a team that was built around his performances each night & had some solid wins because of it late in the season. Look for Central City to rely heavily on a more team oriented approach this season. Returning seniors Ethan Tye (6.6) and Patrick Wade (5.5) will have to carry the load for a team that showed state capability with a late season win vs Springville. These two will need to find some younger role players to step up around them in hopes of remaining in the top half of a competitive conference. East Buchanan (6-16): With the return of [player_tooltip player_id="962679" first="Kaiden" last="Gage"] (17.5) and Keaton Kelly (7.1) this team has promise to win some more games this year. Will the combo shooters find the help they need to get over the hump in the always tough West division? Doubtful this year, but another year of experience for this group will be beneficial in the long run. Look for this team to be a tough game when the guards are hot from outside. If they can limit turnovers and share the rock they will be able to compete in most games. Averaging 10 assist - 16 turnovers as a team last season is a glaring number. Look for these guys to win a few more than last year, but still not compete at the top just yet. Edgewood-Colesburg (15-10): Returning 4 of their top 6 scorers & coming off a successful season with a loaded Sophomore class that are now Juniors. This team gained a ton of experience last year, led by [player_tooltip player_id="796160" first="Parker" last="Rochford"] (14.8) a 6’3 long wing that can disrupt and get steals on defense while also having the ability to knock it down from deep. Helping Rochford will be a tandem of guards in Korey Putz (7.8) & Konner Putz (5.0) this duo will look to control the pace & distribute the rock while also shooting it from deep. They need to shoot a higher clip if this team wants to make a deep run, but either way teams in the Tri-Rivers will not be overlooking Ed-Co this year! Maquoketa Valley (9-13): Returning everyone like some others in this conference Maquoketa Valley hopes to have a breakout season. Experience gained from a young group last season may be exactly what they needed. Led by the guard duo of brothers Andrew Holtz (12.5) & Avery Holtz (8.9) These two make it happen for the Wildcats. Handling the ball in almost all situations they’re able to create for others and get a shot up at almost any time. Avery was just a Freshman last season, with a year under his belt look for him to make an even larger impact this season. Accompanying those two will be Aj Ambundo (8.6) who will clean it up on the boards & spot up for the three. With this group back if they can find some confidence and string some wins together they will be another tough out during post season play. North Linn (26-1): The Linx return the majority of their lineup on a team that made the class 2A finals last season. The graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="801963" first="Austin" last="Miller"] will impact the Linx, but look for them to lean on a great Junior class to handle some of the scoring and rebounding they lost. Leading the charge for this team will be [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"] (17.7) a crafty play-making point guard who can get the other guys around him involved with ease averaging almost 8ast per game last season. He will be accompanied by knockdown shooters [player_tooltip player_id="962641" first="Dylan" last="Kurt"] (12.0) & [player_tooltip player_id="962649" first="Gunner" last="Vanourney"] (7.1) who combined to shoot over 10 threes a game last year. Those three, along with the return of [player_tooltip player_id="962658" first="Cade" last="Haughenbury"] to secure the paint and rebound. North Linn will harass you the majority of the game with a full court press along with their ability to jump passing lanes. This combination fits well in this conference so look for them to continue their dominating performances in the Tri-Rivers and make another run at a state title. Springville (20-6): Springville is looking to build on a historic 2019-2020 season that ended at the state tournament. Returning all but one of their main contributors from last season this looks to be a promising year once again. Led by one of the best two way guards in the state [player_tooltip player_id="964829" first="Alex" last="Koppes"] (19.8) just finds ways to make things happen. Knocking down shots from all over the floor or reeking havoc on opposing guards he is a guy to watch for in this 2021 class. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Alex-Koppes.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1040525 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Alex-Koppes-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Accompanying Koppes will be [player_tooltip player_id="962618" first="Rhenden" last="Wagaman"] (14.3) who can shoot it with the best of them while also securing some rebounds for the Orioles. Look for [player_tooltip player_id="962643" first="Luke" last="Menster"] (109 assist) to continue to be distribute to everyone. This team is a fun one to watch with their up-tempo, share the rock type play. Will it be enough to get through North Linn? Only time will tell, but we cant wait for that match-up. Starmont (3-19): After a down season in 2019-2020 look for this to continue to be a rebuilding year for the Stars who graduated the majority of their scoring from last season. They will need some young talent to step up with any chance of winning some games in this conference. There are a couple Sophomores that could take that leap, only time will tell with the Stars once again   Projected Order of Finish 1. North Linn 2. Springville 3. Edgewood-Colesburg 4. Alburnett 5. Maqueketa Valley 6. East Buchanan 7. Central City 8. Starmont Analysis: In recent years this conference has been dominated by North Linn and until someone proves them otherwise they will be the favorite. Springville has a core that is returning with a ton of firepower, If anyone can knock the Lynx off the top, it’ll be the Orioles. After those two teams it becomes less obvious, the likes of Edgewood-Colesburg, Albrunett & Maqueketa Valley can all make a run towards the top depending on how they adjust early in the season to new role players. The bottom three will remain around there, unless they find some young talent to step up and provide a spark for them!   Preseason Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"] A tough choice in a conference with two stellar guards but I give the slight advantage to Austin over [player_tooltip player_id="964829" first="Alex" last="Koppes"] because his ability to distribute & make everyone around him better. Austin has the quickness and knack to find the gaps in the defense, force a help defender and make the right read out of it to find the open guy. He is disruptive in the press and will rack up steals throughout the year as well. If he can <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Austin-Hilmer-State.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1019895 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Austin-Hilmer-State-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>find his shot consistently this season he may be one of the best guards in his class throughout the state. I expect an even larger role with the loss of [player_tooltip player_id="801963" first="Austin" last="Miller"] & if you want to watch an unselfish guard who loves to win. I suggest you tune into a North Linn game this season!